This past Spring on Easter Sunday, I sent everyone home with a packet of flower seeds and an invitation to plant a little “resurrection garden.” I encouraged our church family to sow them in a small plot to remind us that God’s promises are sure, but sometimes take a long time. Jesus Himself said, “Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed” (John 12:24). Ironically, I was…
My veggie garden is a bit of a disaster this year. Between the weather, ministry, and life in general, I got a much later start than usual. Eventually I managed to get my normal lineup in the ground—tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, cucumbers, and green beans—but everything felt rushed, and ever since then, the garden has shown it. This year I also tried something new. Jim Paul and I often compare notes about our gardens. Early this spring he started several flats…
Well, like I mentioned before the sermon on Sunday, we lost another tree at the Benedict estate this past weekend. ☹ One of the things that first attracted Pam and me to our home on Cedar Avenue was the trees. We only have a third of an acre in a development-styled neighborhood, but when we bought the house, the property had twelve large, mature trees. Combined with a sweeping panorama of Lancaster County farmland behind us, it felt almost like…
This week we’re headed up to my dad’s cabin in north-central Pennsylvania. Pam and I are taking a few days to unwind after Justin and Maria’s wedding. It’s been a wonderful season of celebration. The wedding was beautiful and our home has been filled wth family, laughter, and memories we’ll cherish for the rest of our lives. But now all the kids have returned home and we’re looking forward to a little peace and quiet. One of the things I’ll…